Utah star quarterback Cameron Rising is unlikely to play Saturday against host Utah State due to a finger injury on his throwing hand, the Action Network reported Thursday.
Rising injured the finger on his right hand during the Utes’ 23-12 victory over Baylor last Saturday. He was pushed into coolers just off the sideline in the second quarter and later returned to the bench area with two fingers taped together and wearing street clothes.
Utah coach Kyle Whittington hasn’t formally ruled out Rising. He termed his injury as “not real serious.”
The report indicated Rising is expected back for Utah’s road game against Oklahoma State on Sept. 21.
Freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, will start for the No. 12 Utes (2-0) if Rising can’t go.
Wilson completed 4 of 9 passes for 30 yards against Baylor for the Utes, who were scoreless in the second half.
“I have to prepare the same every week, whether I’m the first, second or third string,” Wilson said earlier this week. “Just gotta prepare. I could have prepared a little better last game. I felt like I did good, but there’s always more to improve on.”
Rising has completed 18 of 29 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns in less than four quarters of action this season.
Rising, 25, missed all of last season after tearing multiple ligaments and meniscus cartilage in his left knee during a loss to Penn State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 2023.
He played his first game in nearly 20 months on Aug. 29 against Southern Utah and tossed a career-best five touchdown passes in one half of action before leaving the 49-0 victory. Rising wore a bulky brace on the left knee to protect it.
Whittingham said Brandon Rose will back up Wilson if the latter starts against the Aggies. Rose, a third-year sophomore, made his first college appearance late in the Southern Utah game. He didn’t attempt a pass and gained 8 yards on one carry.
–Field Level Media